Subway Reviews Its Creative Business, Hires Chris Carroll in Top Marketing Role

Moving fast amid Jared Fogle scandal

Damage control is working quickly at Subway. Sources said that former svp of global marketing Chris Carroll is back in the fold in a top marketing role, and the chain is looking at outside agencies for its creative business.

The news comes just days after chief marketing officer Tony Pace announced he would depart the chain and two weeks after the brand's former spokesman Jared Fogle was mired in a child-porn investigation.

"Subway confirms that it is conducting a closed review of its creative advertising," said a spokeswoman, in a statement. "Based on confidentiality agreements, we are not disclosing participating agencies." The company did not comment on Carroll's new role.

The eatery spent $534 million in media in 2014, up from $517 million in 2013, according to Kantar Media. MediaCom and 360i also serve on Subway's roster of agencies.

Joanne Davis Consulting in New York is helping to manage the process, according to sources. The consultancy declined to comment. The search is down to four finalists, including the incumbent, MMB, sources said. Sources identified the other finalists as McCann Erickson, The Martin Agency and BBDO. The agencies declined to comment.

Pace will step down Sept. 30 to run Cerebral Graffiti, his own marketing consulting firm.

Since leaving Subway in 2005, Carroll has held top marketing roles at Cosi and Liberty Tax Service. Carroll also worked on the agency side, serving as evp and chief client officer at Zimmerman Advertising.